MAHER AND SNL GET DIRTY

Catalyst March Issue 2013

The weekend following Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement, notorious Catholic-basher Bill Maher took another shot at the Catholic Church on his HBO show. The following night, “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) crossed the line in going after Jesus.

It was quite a weekend for the haters. Speaking of the pope, Maher said, “Benedict told them he was going to resign because the Church needs a fresh young face. Somewhere other than a priest’s lap.” He then mocked the Church’s teachings, imploring Catholics to quit. He ended his rant by condemning Catholicism for being “hostile towards women,” comparing the Church to the Taliban.

SNL usually hits above the belt, but the segment it did on Jesus and the apostles was vicious. The skit, “Djesus Uncrossed,” was a take-off of “Django Unchained,” the extraordinarily violent film that has been the source of much controversy. The SNL segment was itself uncharacteristically bloody; there was also a snide remark by the announcer saying the skit was less violent than “The Passion of the Christ.”

Imagine what might happen if the Catholic Church succeeded in detaining women at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for dressing improperly? Well, the week before Maher’s episode aired, ten women were detained by the Israeli police for praying at the Western Wall wearing prayer shawls (only men are allowed to wear the shawls at the holy site). Imagine how much fun Maher could have with that? But he doesn’t have the guts to go there.

Over the same weekend, Muslims in Egypt set fire to a Christian church—for the second time in a month. The church’s cross was torn down and Christians were stoned by these barbarians. Imagine how much fun SNL could have with that? But they don’t have the guts to go there.